Broncos talk it out for solid start

By David Hinojosa :
December 17, 2013

Brandeis' Morgan Williams, second from right, fights for a rebound with Warren's Adrienne Lightfoot, left, Lauryn Elliot and Victoria Hall during the first half of their Dec. 4 game.

The girls basketball players from Brandeis attribute their solid start to one thing: Communication.

“In practice, we focus on communication a lot, just talking to each other,” junior post Morgan Williams said. “When you are talking, it makes everything click a little bit better.”

It's worked so far. The Broncos were 15-5 overall and 2-2 in District 27-5A play entering Tuesday's game against Clark.

After graduating seven seniors and returning just two starters from last season, the ability to communicate is key as the players try to get to know each other's tendencies.

“The skill level will come,” junior post Treasure Riven said. “But, when we communicate, it all gels together and flows a lot easier and you don't have to think about the play. You just do it, and it comes naturally to a lot of us.”

Williams and senior guard Hannah Thompson were returning starters from last year's team that finished 25-10 and lost to Steele in the bi-district playoff round.

Knowing they would have to replace about half their varsity team, the Broncos made a full commitment to the offseason and Williams believes it is paying off so far.

“We worked so hard, like crazy,” Williams said. “I feel we are full prepared.”

The Broncos have been boosted by the emergence of Riven and freshman point guard Gabby Connally. Connally and Riven are the team's top two scorers with 13.4- and 11.0-point averages.

After playing mostly a reserve role last season, Riven has become a consistent scorer and top rebounder to the Broncos.

“It's really different from just watching one season to actually being in it,” Riven said.

Connally is not only the Broncos' leading scorer, she runs the team's offense. Connally is the only freshman on Brandeis' varsity. Coach Jennifer Brewer said Connally has been accepted as the team's floor leader and that has been key to the team's fast start.

“She's very selfless,” Brewer said of Connally. “She works well with all the kids. The way they have meshed has been really amazing.”